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Book/Report | FZJ-2020-01875 |
1988
Kernforschungsanlage Jülich GmbH Zentralbibliothek, Verlag
Jülich
Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/24780
Report No.: Juel-Spez-0438
Abstract: Consider an interface between two different states ofmatter denoted by $\alpha$ and $\gamma$. Simple examples are (i) theboundary region between a vapor phase, $\alpha$, and a solidsubstrate, $\gamma$; or (ii) the surface of a crystal, i. e., theinterface between a crystal, $\gamma$, and its vapor, $\alpha$. Such aninterface may contain a thin wetting layer consisting of athird phase, $\beta$. This happens (i) in adsorption phenomena whenthe vapor is deposited on the solid forming a liquid film,$\beta$; or (ii) in surface melting when a thin film of the melt,$\beta$, intervenes between the crystal and the vapor. Theformation of a thin layer or film implies that the $\beta$ phasecompletely wets the $\alpha \gamma$ interface. Incomplete wetting, on theother hand, leads to droplets of the $\beta$ phase within the $\alpha \gamma$interface. In some cases, all three phases $\alpha \beta$, and $\gamma$ are in thermalequilibrium. Then, complete wetting occurs at or close to an$\alpha \beta \gamma$ coexistence region. This applies to surf ace melting: amolten layer can appear close to a triple point where solid,liquid, and vapor coexist. On the other hand, one of thethree phases often plays a rather passive role and does notequilibrate on experimentally relevant time scales. For suchsystems, complete wetting occurs at or close to a two-phasecoexistence region. This is typical for adsorption: thesubstrate is an inert 'spectator phase' which provides aboundary for the vapor and the liquid. [...]
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